ULSTER MARITIME HERITAGE

About Ulster Maritime Heritage

Ulster Maritime Heritage (UMH) is a new organisation intending to be recognised as the leading ‘go to’ body for supporting and promoting Ulster’s rich maritime heritage.  It aims to be a representative maritime voice that facilitates a coordinated programme of events, training and support, whilst building a record of maritime heritage assets.  The organisation’s geographical coverage includes the six Counties of Northern Ireland and adjacent Counties in the Republic of Ireland.

The Strategic Goals of UMH are to:

- Establish a sustainable entity with a clear brand and sector representative role;

- Co-ordinate marketing of projects, events and central listing of maritime heritage organisations;

- Identify, preserve and protect maritime heritage;

- Provide training, skills and support to UMH members.

Purposes of the organisation:

- Support the sector by providing a forum for the maritime sector to come together and connect, (and to gain from economies of scale);

- Improve communications and provide a voice for the sector;

- Provide leadership and help share and capture knowledge;

- Reduce duplication and increase sector co-ordination;

- Engage with the public, under a recognisable unified brand;

- Identify, record and preserve maritime heritage;

- Celebrate and promote maritime heritage, and deliver events;

- Preserve boat building and associated craft and skills.

The Madill Project

The Madill Archive Project is supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and is a partnership between university, government agencies and Ulster Maritime Heritage.  It aims to locate, preserve, document and make publicly accessible material relating to maritime heritage and traditional Irish boats. 

The archive was compiled by Mr Harry Madill, whose interest in sailing and coastal communities dates from his childhood in the Northern Irish coastal town of Portstewart.  Harry, now retired, spent most of his working life as an engineer in Portadown.  Combining his draughtsmanship skills and love of traditional boats, Harry set out to discover, describe and draw the last remaining craft around the coast of Ulster, from Down to Donegal, as these wooden vessels faced extinction due to the post-war decline of the fishing industry. 

The archive was compiled over decades and includes original line drawings, photographs and notes on many wooden vernacular vessels unique to Irish coastal communities.  In addition to preserving essential information on drontheims, currachs, punts and skiffs for future generations, Harry recorded interviews with twelve men involved in traditional boat building, fishing and sailing.  These recorded recollections are also held within the archive.  In 2019 Harry donated his archive of primary materials to the Centre for Maritime Archaeology (CMA), Ulster University.  The CMA had, for many years, been the recipients of reports and drawings generated by Harry, as an organisation with wide-ranging interests in maritime heritage. 

In June 2022, the Madill Archive project, led by Dr Wes Forsythe of Ulster University, began the process of depositing the collection with the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI).  The collection is currently being indexed, audited, archived and digitised by the project's Research Associate Dr Lucy Wray.  The project will culminate in an exhibition showcasing the materials and information held in the Madill collection. 

The Madill Archive is an unparalleled trove of information on traditional Irish boats and maritime heritage that might otherwise have been lost.  Through the assistance of PRONI, this information will be accessible to public audiences with an interest in this heritage - for those who wish to remember, learn, and continue to build and sail traditional boats.

Maritime Heritage Conference, 2023

In February 2023, a successful one-day conference exploring the maritime heritage of the Borough of Ards and North Down was held.  The introductory talk was given by Robin Masefield, local historian and secretary of Ulster Maritime Heritage, and one of National Historic Ships UK's Council of Experts.  Robin spoke about the aims and aspirations of the embryonic Ulster Maritime Heritage organisation, and the valuable role that it could play in supporting local bodies in promoting this important subject.  He also referred to the support from National Historic Ships UK and the growing presence of Northern Ireland as a Shipshape Hub.

Other presentations included two on vessels on the National Registers; the substantive progress being made by the Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company in restoring the Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat; and the merchant schooner Result which is in preservation on dry land at the Ulster Transport Museum at Cultra, though badly in need of full restoration.  The success of the conference demonstrated not just the widespread interest in the topic, but also the very practical progress being made by individuals and groups in preserving and promoting Northern Ireland's unique maritime heritage.

Find out more:

www.mcgarryconsult.com/ulster-maritime-heritage-strategy